7/10/12

5 Questions From Stacy and Steve For Mack


Thanks for asking me to ask you questions. I always find you and your thoughts very interesting and informative.

Question #1 -   - Who do you believe are the Mets untouchable prospects? I believe only Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey.

Mack – Well, you’ve got the only two “on the board” right now. There are a few other names that the Mets don’t want to move (Michael Fulmer, Wilmer Flores, etc.) but, as of this trade deadline, only Wheeler and Harvey are untouchable.

Question #2 - Who are the 3 surprise position players and pitchers so far this year? Good or bad

Mack - First the good…

1.     SS Wilfredo Tovar has been tagged a defensive specialist his entire short professional career and, in fact, he is considered within the walls of Flushing as the best defensive infielder in the system. We also know players like this blow up when they reach the pitcher talented AA level. That being said, Tovar is playing full time in Binghamton, hitting, first .284 for St. Lucie, and now, .286 for Binghamton.



2.      3B-1B,RF-LF Eric Campbell is years ahead of his injured past and is making quite a name for himself to someday replace Jason Turner as the go-to utility guy in Queens, He is hitting AA at .328/.432/.487/.919 and his BA ranks him 2nd in the league (to old Matt den Dekker numbers).



3.     Savannah’s Jeffrey Walters is dominating the lower levels as a relief pitcher. Combined stats from Savannah and St. Lucie: 4-2, 0.98, 36.2-IP, 35-K, 4-BB.



4.     The bad has to start off with 2B Reese Havens. He’s had no injuries, should be playing Queens by now, is hitting below .220 against pitchers that have 2-3 years less professional experience, and is now relegated to being a pinch hitter. Such a shame.



5.     I’ve been rough on C Francisco Pena over the years… it feels like I’ve been writing about him since the 60s…  but the bottom line is he needs to take that bonus money his Daddy got out of Omar, go back to school, and start a more successful like than playing minor league baseball.



6.     1B Alan Dykstra. Was the 1-2 1st round pick with Ike Davis. Everybody had Alan as a sure-fire future star. It just hasn’t happened.

Question #3 - I believe in the next MLBCBA they will have a universal DH rule, so I think the Mets are set for that to happen. Do you agree with that?

Mack:  I hate the DH. I think they should eliminate it in the Pony League. Having a shitty hitter batting 9th is part of the game. Having a Carlos Zambrano there gives that team a distinct advantage.

Question #4   - Do you think we will see the Mets call up Jeurys Familia in September and use him in the bullpen? I know a lot will depend on trades made before now and then.

Mack – No, I don’t. I see him finishing out the Buffalo season as a starter, being given the month of September off, and being placed in a winter league to convert to a reliever.

Question #5   - The Toronto Blue-Jays have a lot of catching prospects. Do you think the Mets match up well enough with them to get one of them? Personally, I like Gomes. He hits right handed.

Mack – It doesn’t work that way. Also, the only change at catching you might see this season is replacing Mike Nickeas as Josh Thole’s backup. This is not a platoon. If Lucas Duda is asked to play RF every day, than Thole deserves his 2012 job.

Thanks. Sorry if these are boring, but they are the best I can come up with on a Monday morning. Kids ball tourney all weekend kind of tired me out. Always look forward to your insight.

Hope you’re feeling good this morning. Take care.

Steve Wilson


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